Sue Albert, Dean of Allied Health at College of the Canyons has been named a co-recipient of the 2005 Community Commitment Award from the Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC). The second recipient is Linda Coale, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Holy Cross Hospital. Albert and Coale will be recognized for their work developing and instituting the Associate Degree Nursing Regional Program.

Albert and Coale worked together to lead the development of an innovative program that educates nurses using video teleconferencing, an alternative method of education. The program allows one instructor to lecture from a college campus while students at different hospitals are able to watch the lecture. This provides economy, efficiency and consistency in the education of nurses.

Five community colleges and seven hospitals have joined together in a consortium and use this program to educate nursing students in the Los Angeles area.

The award will be presented on November 10 at NEVHC’s “Commitment to Care Gala,” a fundraising dinner and awards program that will raise funds for the continued support of the videoconferencing program as well as to benefit the NEVHC and its programs that provide safe, comprehensive primary health care to the medically underserved, uninsured, low-income and indigent residents of the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys.

The event will be held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Scape: an extensive view. The photographic-scape can encompass a broad spectrum of views: landscape, moonscape, cityscape, seascape, escape, even an inner-scape. A photographer frequently captures overlooked scapes, personal and public, interprets them with the camera, and makes them available for the viewer to consume. The photography faculty at College of the Canyons is diverse in its motivations, working methods and artistic views, resulting in an exhibition that promises to be intriguing and varied.

The exhibition will run from Sept. 7 through Oct. 15, 2005. An opening reception is planned 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 for students, faculty, staff and the public. Admission to the gallery is free. A $1 parking permit can be obtained in the South Parking Lot or Parking Lot #6. This permit allows attendees to park in any regular space in the student lots.

Art Gallery and store hours are: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is closed Friday, Sunday and all college holidays.

Additional information regarding this and future exhibitions can be obtained by calling (661) 362-3612 or visiting the College of the Canyons website at www.canyons.edu.

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August 19, 2005

One Hundred Percent Online Classes offered at College are in High Demand

To keep up with the advancements in technology, students are moving away from the traditional and hybrid classes, and now, at College of the Canyons, students can now apply, register, take classes and earn a degree entirely online, taking the classroom anywhere there is Internet access.

Because of such a high demand, in Fall 2005, College of the Canyons is offering seventeen one hundred percent online classes and fifty-seven hybrid online classes. In the past, the college has offered “hybrid” classes that are a combination of online and in the classroom work, but in summer 2005 seven one hundred percent online classes were available.

The college’s faculty is working hard to develop as many online classes as possible in order to meet the needs of the community.

James Glapa-Grossklag director of learning programs at College of the Canyons says, “I would like this program to continue to respond to the evolving needs and expectations of our students, provide access to education to all who can benefit and deliver a high quality education.”

This program is extremely beneficial for working individuals who have a need to take classes or finish their education but cannot take time off work to sit in the classroom. Wherever there is Internet access students can do work for the class.

College of the Canyons offers all the classes needed for an Associate of Arts degree in Transfer Studies online, this allows people who would not otherwise be able to attend traditional classes to or earn their degree.

Because there is such a high demand for the one hundred percent online classes, the college is also planning to offer degrees in additional majors through the program to meet the demand.

The instructors who oversee each of these classes are quality instructors who have gone through training on how to run an online class. The entire faculty involved has a desire for students to learn and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Information about College of the Canyons’ online classes can be found at www.canyons.edu.

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August 19, 2005

Nursing Program Receives Award

The 2005 Community Commitment Award from the Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) is being given to Sue Albert, Dean of Allied Health at College of the Canyons, and Linda Coale, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Holy Cross Hospital for their work developing and instituting the Associate Degree Nursing Regional Program.

This award recognizes the dedication and leadership Albert and Coale have given to the community and their continuing achievement with the Associate Degree Nursing Regional Program.

Both Albert and Coale have been working together to lead the development of an innovative program that educates nurses using video teleconferencing, an alternative method of education.

This program allows one instructor to lecture from a college campus while students at different hospitals are able to watch the lecture.

Five community colleges and seven hospitals have joined together in using this program to educate nursing students in the Los Angeles area.

The award will be presented at NEVHC’s “Commitment to Care Gala” in November.

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August 19, 2005

Bond Oversight Committee: College is in Full Compliance

College of the Canyons is in full compliance with legal requirements that mandate public oversight of the disbursement of bond revenues, the Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee has determined.

The oversight committee made its unanimous determination on Aug. 9 after reviewing the results of an independent audit. All of the findings from that December 2004 examination were favorable to the college and its handling of Measure C funds, said Sharlene Coleal, vice president of business services.

The committee will now send a letter affirming the college’s compliance to the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which governs the district and its single college.

“We are very pleased that the college continues to be in compliance with respect to Measure C funds,” said Sheldon Wigdor, chairman of the oversight committee. “Everyone should be excited about the Music Dance Building, which is the first of many projects Measure C will bring to the campus and the community.”

Committee members witnessed firsthand one of the products of Measure C. Shortly after the group adjourned, the ribbon was officially cut at the new Music Dance Building, revealing a stunning 20,000-square-foot facility boasting state-of-the-art instruction, practice and performance areas.

The $8.5 million facility is the first new building to be funded entirely by Measure C.

The 11-member oversight committee was formed following voters’ approval of Measure C, an $82.1 million bond measure designed to pay for much-needed construction of new facilities, renovation of the existing campus and creation of a permanent education center in the Canyon Country area. The measure attracted 68.03 percent voter approval in November 2001.

The college’s careful management of Measure C funds has actually increased the bond measure’s initial value, adding approximately $4.5 million via earned interest and a re-funding of a general-obligation bond issuance in 2002. The original $82.1 million value has now risen to $86.6 million.

Committee member Michael Berger noted that the additional $4.5 million in revenue adds significant value to the college’s available construction funds. “We don't have $82 million. We actually have $86 million due to good management,” Berger said. “That’s huge.”

Superintendent-President Dianne Van Hook expressed her appreciation to the committee for allowing construction projects to move forward in a timely and efficient manner. Adhering to an aggressive schedule benefits the community because delays typically translate into additional construction costs.

Some community college districts that passed similar bond measures four or five years ago have yet to build any facilities. “That means that by the time they get around to (construction), they’re probably going to pay 60 to 70 percent more for that building,” Van Hook said.

“We’ve gotten a lot more bang for our buck — literally,” she added.

The schedule of expansion and renovation projects is extensive because of several key factors:

The college has maintained an aggressive construction schedule and timed individual projects to take full advantage of maximum funding levels from the state;

The college has added value to locally generated funds by leveraging varying levels of matching dollars from the state;

The college received excellent AA and AA- credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, respectively;

It's a great time to issue bonds because of low interest rates and high assessed property valuations in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The increase in state construction funds going to the college since Measure C was approved is striking. From 1994 through 2001, the college generated a respectable $40 million in state money for various construction projects. By comparison, since the passage of Measure C in late 2001, the college has nearly doubled that figure to $79.8 million.

Committee member Jill Harper commended the college’s management team, adding: “We’re all extremely proud of what’s going on, and I think the community needs to know this.”

In addition to the Music Dance Building, tangible signs of the benefits of Measure C are visible throughout the College of the Canyons campus. Construction has begun on the High-Tech Building, a 34,000-square-foot complex of classrooms, labs and offices that will be nestled between the Student Center and Physical Education Center. And, site preparation has begun on the Science Laboratory Expansion, which will add 32,000 square feet to the existing Laboratory Building, one of the college’s original facilities.

Other completed projects include the renovation of Cougar Stadium, where synthetic turf was installed on the playing field, the running track was resurfaced, and restroom facilities were upgraded; the expansion of the Vocational Technical Building, which added new manufacturing technology and welding areas, and the expansion of the college's warehouse, which nearly doubled its size.

Upcoming projects include the following:

Canyon Country Education Center— Final negotiations are under way to acquire property for this permanent education center, which will replace the current ACCESS centers in the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library and at Golden Valley High School. The center will open with 34 modular buildings purchased at a significant discount — 50 cents a square foot vs. the going rate of $100 per square foot — from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The decision to develop this comprehensive educational center was made to meet the demands of the Canyon Country area, where many College of the Canyons students reside and rapid growth is expected to continue.

University Center— The capital campaign to raise corporate and private donations for a permanent facility to house the University Center is being finalized. This building will house an assortment of public and private universities that are already offering advanced degrees on the College of the Canyons campus, as well as the William S. Hart Union High School District's Academy of the Canyons, which is currently housed in modular buildings on the college campus.

And, in a testament to the college’s ability to maximize local dollars for the greatest benefit, four construction projects planned over the next five years will cost an estimated $61.2 million, yet only $13.1 million in local funds will be spent. The rest — $48.1 million — will come from the state.

The construction projects include an expansion of both the Library and the Media & Fine Arts Building, a new Administration & Student Services Building, and the first permanent building at the Canyon Country Education Center. Construction of the latter, envisioned as a 52,000-square-foot facility, could begin as early as 2007.

Matching funds from the state are not necessarily applied on a dollar-for-dollar basis. They follow a variety of formulas that consider such criteria as a college’s level of enrollment growth, its capacity and load ratio, any changes in its assignable square-footage, and the projected population growth within the college district, among others.

California law requires that a citizens’ oversight committee oversee the disbursement of bond funds, as well as ensure that they are not used for faculty or administrative salaries or other expenses.

The Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee was appointed and created on Jan. 23, 2002. Since then, it has met 10 times to review Measure C-funded projects and fulfill its oversight obligation.

The public is always welcome to attend committee meetings. All past and upcoming meeting dates, as well as meeting agendas and approved minutes are posted on the committee's website, located at www.canyons.edu/info/news/mcoversight.html.

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August 15, 2005

College of the Canyons’ MESA Students Excel

College of the Canyons students who participated in the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program and its Academic Excellence Workshops performed better in math than fellow students, a class evaluation revealed.

MESA students involved in the workshops performed 17 percent better than the class average on exams and 15 percent higher on the final exam, an evaluation of the college’s Calculus II class revealed.

The evaluation also showed that 80 to 90 percent of the 135 students involved in the workshops received grades of “C” or better, compared to 68 to 69 percent of all other College of the Canyons students.

Twenty-four MESA students will continue their academic excellence as they transfer to four-year institutions this fall.

Even before the evaluation was completed, students who attended MESA’s workshop for Calculus II acknowledged that the 1.5 hours spent twice a week in the sessions helped improve their grades.

The MESA program also offers field trips, counseling, tutoring, a study center, education supplies, transfer assistance, and both academic and social support. The statewide academic enrichment program for historically underrepresented or educationally disadvantaged students has been offered at College of the Canyons for four years.

MESA students commit time outside of normal class hours to study with instructors and meet with other students on a regular basis. The program requires that students major in math, engineering or science, and qualify for intermediate algebra and be eligible for financial aid.

MESA counselor Dr. Edel Alonso said the program welcomes new students. “We encourage students who are considering one of these challenging majors to stop by the MESA center and fill out an application,” he said.

The College of the Canyons Foundation and shipping company Vital Express on Aug. 10 finalized an agreement that will provide a $2 million donation to the endowment fund for the Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons. Lisa Boaz signed the agreement for Vital Express, and Kathleen Maloney, executive director of the College of the Canyons Foundation, signed for the foundation.

“We are extremely happy and gratified to be finalizing this gift that will benefit future generations of students at College of the Canyons and support the performing arts in this wonderful community,”​ Boaz said. “Although some people believe this agreement was a long time in coming, the greater good has been served by carefully crafting this first-of-its-kind alliance so that it will stand the test of time and pave the way for future philanthropy.”

The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Oct. 13, 2004, to approve the terms of a letter of intent from the company that would permanently change the name of the then-EPIC Center to the Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts. The building has been known by the latter name since that time.

“We are thrilled to be the recipient of such a generous gift,” said Steve Zimmer, president of the College of the Canyons Foundation Board, “since it will be used to help us keep the Vital Express Center on the cutting edge of live entertainment in the Santa Clarita Valley. More importantly, the endowment will continue giving, year after year, to thousands of students who will learn the skills, crafts and culture involved with performing in this wonderful facility.”

The signed agreement clears the way to move forward with signage to be placed on the building, the costs of which will be absorbed by Vital Express and are estimated at about $130,000. Payments on the $2 million donation are being made over the next 10 years.

“Lisa and Dan Boaz have made a donation that will change the nature of fund-raising for community colleges in California,” said Dianne Van Hook, superintendent-president of College of the Canyons. “It is going to serve as a challenge to other communities to step up financial support for their local community colleges. In the case of College of the Canyons, this generous gift will establish an endowment for the center, ensuring that the Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts will remain a premier venue for performances for many years to come.”

Joan MacGregor, president of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, said, “The Board of Trustees is pleased that a final agreement has been reached and signed. The Vital Express Center is a wonderful community resource, and many people worked very hard to get it built. Now, with the donation of Lisa and Dan Boaz, coupled with additional future donations to the endowment fund, we will be able provide a wide range of opportunities for students and exciting programming for everyone.”

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August 9, 2005

Opening of the Music/Dance Building: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Subject: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House at the new Music/Dance facility at College of the Canyons

Time: 4 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2005

Place:Inside the Music/Dance Building

Event: The nearly $7 million Music/Dance Building at College of the Canyons will be officially opened today in a ceremony that will be highlighted by an open house and selected performances by Music and Dance Department faculty and staff.

Speakers:

Dr. Michael McMahan, Division Dean, Fine Arts and Humanities;

Mrs. Joan MacGregor, President, College of the Canyons Board of Trustees

Dr. Dianne Van Hook, Superintendent-President, College of the Canyons

Mr. John Schaefer, Co-Chair, Patrons of the Performing Arts

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August 5, 2005

College Announces Auditions for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Auditions will be held for the College of the Canyons performing arts departments’ production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Community members and students with backgrounds or interests in musical theater are welcome to audition.

Auditions are scheduled: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug 20, in the Student Center; registration is in the main lobby outside the bookstore, and 7 to 10 p.m. Monday, Aug 22, in the Black Box Theater at the Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts. Callbacks will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug 23 in the Black Box.

Several roles are to be cast for Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s gleefully gruesome musical:

Individual ticket sales have begun for the 2005-06 season at the Vital Express Center for the Performing Arts. Seats are available for purchase by visiting the Box Office (Room S-127 in the Student Center), calling the Box Office at (661) 362-5304, or visiting the center’s website atwww.vitalexpresscenter.com.

The 2005-06 season kicks off with a performance by The Temptations on Sept. 16. Other acts include comedian Bob Berky, Sha Na Na, Grammy-winning saxophonist David Sanborn, jazz musician Marcus Belgrave, the Soweto Gospel Choir and political satirists The Capitol Steps. The season also features a wide variety of theater, music and dance performances by community groups and college programs.

The Vital Express Center features a 926-seat main performance hall, as well as the more intimate Black Box Theater, which can seat about 100 people. The center, located at College of the Canyons, opened Oct. 15, 2004.